BASEBALL BLOWS OUT SAINT MARY IN FINAL HOME GAME

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Playing their final home game of the season at The Z, Avila baseball blew out Saint Mary on Wednesday afternoon, winning 16-2 in seven innings.

Production from up and down the lineup propelled Avila to the run-rule victory as six players had multiple RBI, nine players scored at least one run and eight of nine position players recorded at least one hit. The one hitless Eagle was Landon Vahle, who walked four times and scored three runs in the contest.

It wasn't just the offense that produced for Avila, Cashen Schranz started on the mound and threw four innings, allowing just two baserunners and keeping the Spires at bay. Antonio Villalobos came on in relief to pitch two innings, while only allowing one run to score. Gio Armas finished the game out with a perfect top of the seventh, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Avila's offense was powered by two home runs from Ricky Dober and a third from JJ Stubblefield. The Eagles began their onslaught with a three-run shot from Dober in the first inning before putting up eight runs in the third – all with two outs.

Three Avila walks loaded the bases for Nick Bowers, who came through with a two-run single up the middle. The next batter up, Stubblefield, smacked his three-run homer over the right field fence to stretch Avila's lead to 8-0.

A single and two walks loaded the bases again immediately after Stubblefield's home run. Dober walked to pick up an RBI and Virden belted a two-run single down the left field line. Through three innings, Avila held an 11-0 lead.

The fourth inning saw Zach Dillman come through with a two-run single to give the Eagles a 13-run cushion.

Saint Mary hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, but Avila answered back with another home run from Dober and a two-run double by Robby Cable wrapped up the 16-2 scoreline and gave the Eagles their 20^th win on the season. 

Avila will play three games at Kansas Wesleyan this weekend before heading to Joplin, Mo., for the first round of the KCAC Tournament beginning on Wednesday.

 (photo credit: Albert Guerrero)